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Reuters

Sport

Latham scores ton before rain ends first day early

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 New Zealand's Tom Latham celebrates his century REUTERS/Ross Setford

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's Tom Latham managed to score his 11th test century before heavy rain washed out the final session of the first day of the second test between against England at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Friday.

Jofra Archer bowled three deliveries of the 55th over with New Zealand unable to add to their tea score of 173-3 before rain swept across the area and ground staff rushed to cover the wicket block and parts of the outfield.

Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Paul Wilson inspected the ground at 5.15 p.m. (0415 GMT) and decided there was no further chance of play. The second day's play will resume 30 minutes early on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (2130 GMT).

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 Ground staff pull the cover as the match is delayed due to rain REUTERS/Ross Setford

Latham was on 101, his fifth test century in his last 10 innings, while Henry Nicholls was on five when players left the field.

"If I knew what it was I'd be trying to bottle that up as much as possible," Latham said about his run of form over the last two years.

"It's just about trying to stick to a plan for long periods of time and that's probably what's given me success over the last year or so.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 Umpires cover themselves from the rain while the players leave the pitch REUTERS/Ross Setford

"I think sometimes you can get a little ahead of yourself and all of a sudden you're walking back to the pavilion."

PACE HEAVY

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 England's Jofra Archer during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

England had chosen a five-pronged pace attack for the match with Chris Woakes coming in for left-arm spinner Jack Leach, although Ben Stokes appeared to suffer discomfort in his left knee while bowling and only managed two overs.

The team said it was unclear if he would bowl again in the innings.

Despite having first use of a pitch that often gives bowlers some assistance on the first day, England wasted their chance to hammer home the opportunity that Stuart Broad and Woakes created by dismissing Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson in the first hour.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 England's Chris Woakes and Rory Burns celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Ross Taylor REUTERS/Ross Setford

Raval (five) and Williamson (four) were both snapped up by Root in the slips before Ross Taylor (53) and Latham combined for a 116-run partnership to drag their side back into the match.

Taylor was the only wicket to fall in the middle session when he was caught by Root on the ball after he brought up his 32nd test half century.

Latham's 11th test century was hardly chanceless but he rode his luck throughout the day.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 New Zealand's Ross Taylor hits a boundary REUTERS/Ross Setford

England could have had a dream first session when Latham was given out lbw for 49 to Woakes in the final over before lunch only to have the decision overturned on review.

Latham continued to ride his luck after lunch when he was dropped at second slip by Stokes from an Archer delivery while on 66.

He also had a nervous wait on 79 after England reviewed an lbw appeal from Woakes that was initially turned down. Ball-tracking technology showed the ball had pitched outside leg.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - Second Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand - November 29, 2019 New Zealand's Kane Williamson during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

Latham reached his century in the final over before tea when he danced down the wicket to Root and punched him down through mid-on for his 15th boundary.

New Zealand won the first match of the two-test series at Bay Oval in Mt. Maunganui by an innings and 65 runs.